ABSTRACT
The reusable landfill permits excavation of the landfill contents to recover metals, glass, plastics, other combustibles, compost and, potentially, the site itself following a lengthy stabilization period. Bioreactor landfills are constructed in a manner similar to most modern sanitary landfills —they are equipped with liners and leachate collection systems. Bioreactor landfills, however, are operated and controlled to rapidly accelerate the biological stabilization of the land filled waste. The rapid treatment of the waste also facilitates the operation of a bioreactor landfill as a reusable landfill. The combined operation of rapid waste treatment followed by reclamation of the stabilized landfill material results in a system that may dramatically extend the operating life beyond that of a traditional landfill. Full-scale evidence of bioreactor landfill benefits is rapidly accumulating. Traffic, dust, animal and insect vectors of disease and noise often are objectionable to nearby neighbors. These issues have lead to strict regulation of landfill disposal of modern municipal solid waste.
